Mount Vernon — Email announcements to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon. Photos are welcome.
Oct. 9-13
Mount Vernon High School Homecoming 2012. The theme this year is Under the Big Top. Events:
Tuesday, Oct. 9: Parade during Major Time at MVHS
Wednesday, Oct. 10: Powder Puff Game, Melvin B. Landes Stadium at 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 11: Pep Rally during Major Time in the Fieldhouse
Friday, Oct. 12: Football Game, Melvin B. Landes Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 13: Homecoming Dance, MVHS Cafeteria from 7-11 p.m.
Saturday/Oct. 20
Annual Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle Expo. 2-8 p.m. West Potomac Academy Fashion Design students will be working backstage at the fourth annual Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle Expo at the Washington Convention Center. The local event features all-day runway fashion shows, free beauty makeovers, and the latest information on design and style trends. America’s Next Top Model runway coach J. Alexander will headline the event. WDCW-TV-DC50 is producing the Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle Expo in conjunction with West Potomac Academy educator Maggy François.
The following Virginia Tech students from Alexandria were among those honored at the university's spring commencement ceremony held May 11 in Lane Stadium.
Meaghan Wilson received a Bachelor of Science degree cum laude in animal and poultry sciences from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Lauren Kurz received a Bachelor of Science in Business degree cum laude in marketing management from the Pamplin College of Business.
Ruth Mikre received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fine arts from the College of Architecture and Urban Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.
Rebecca Quigley received a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the College of Science.
Michaela Reilly Balderston of Alexandria, a graduate of T.C. Williams High School, earned Dean's Award for academic excellence at Colgate University. Balderston concentrated in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies and Islamic Civilization.
Daniel Clark of Alexandria, a cadet in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 2016, majoring in general engineering in the College of Engineering, has joined Virginia Tech’s regimental band, the Highty-Tighties.
Richard Lee, from Alexandria, will join the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Ambassador Program. Lee, a senior majoring in philosophy in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and biological sciences in the College of Science, volunteers with a faculty member for a minimum of two hours a week and volunteers for other various events hosted by the college. Ambassadors work closely with faculty, staff, parents, and alumni to expand the college’s outreach.
Three residents of Alexandria graduated from Radford University at the end of the summer session. Earning a Bachelor of Science degree were Ashley Marie Sawyers, recreation, parks and tourism; Andrew Peter Fernandez, psychology; and Michael Boswell Sears, media studies.
Lake Forest College welcomed 485 new and transfer students from 35 states and 40 countries this year. Melanie Baca-Ortiz, of Alexandria, joined the Forester community this fall and is expected to graduate in 2016. Baca-Ortiz was awarded the Forester Forever Scholarship, recognizing students who have an association with an alumnus of Lake Forest College to celebrate the Forester community and network of alumni support and the Presidential Scholarship for out-of-state students. Baca-Ortiz attended West Potomac High School.